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Abuse and violence

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Domestic and sexual abuse and violence is not acceptable. If you or someone you know is a victim, report it and get help.

If you need urgent police help through the 999 service but cannot speak

Call 999, you will be connected to a phone operator who will ask which service you need.

On a mobile:

  • if you can't speak but the operator hears something suspicious, they'll connect you to a police call handler
  • if you can make some noise, whispering for example, the operator will connect you to the police
  • if you can't speak, and the operator can 't tell what service you need, they'll transfer you to the Silent Solution system. This runs a 20 second automated message, and that will ask you to press 55, to be put through to the police

On a landline phone:

  • if you cannot speak and the operator can hear only background noise, they'll connect your call to the police

Abuse and violence can be psychological, physical, financial or emotional. It can include:

  • domestic abuse
  • domestic violence
  • control, for example, not being allowed to go where you want, when you want
  • coercion, for example, being forced to do things you don't want to do
  • female genital mutilation (FGM)
  • forced marriage
  • human trafficking and modern slavery
  • sex work or prostitution
  • sexual violence
  • sexual harassment

It can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, race, background, disability, sexuality or type of relationship.

Report it

Violence or abuse is a crime and should be reported to the police. You can:

  • call 999 if a crime is happening now or you're in immediate danger
  • call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
  • fill in the online crime form (avonandsomerset.police.uk)

Get support

The Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership website lists organisations that can give support and advice, by the type of violence or abuse.

These organisations, supported by us, can also give help and support:

Next Link Plus

Next Link Plus  provide support services, and can help arrange emergency accommodation, for people who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse. This includes:

You can:

Telephone help lines and live chat services are available 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

Support for women and girls

National Domestic Violence Helpline helps women experiencing domestic abuse.

You'll be able to talk confidentially to someone about your situation and find out what your options are.

Call 0808 2000 247. The phone line is open 24 hours day and 7 days a week.

Women's Aid has published the Survivor's Handbook which has practical support and information for women experiencing domestic abuse.

Opoka helps women and children in the Polish community who experience domestic violence and abuse to benefit from greater access to care, support, justice, and other services needed to ensure physical and mental health, social wellbeing, and financial security. 

Call the helpline number for victims of domestic abuse in Polish language 0300 3651700 or email info@opoka.org.uk.

Opoka offer:

  • Polish speaking support service
  • helpline and  confidential advice and support in Polish language
  • practical and emotional support
  • safe accommodation
  • counselling
  • therapeutic programs for women and children

Support for men and boys

You can contact:

They can give you advice and find you a place in a safe house if it's needed.

Support for children and young people

If you or someone else in your family is being hurt at home, you can tell a teacher, a neighbour, a friend, a friend's parent or the police. Domestic abuse isn't your fault.

You can call Childline on 0800 1111 for free. They won't tell anyone else you're calling unless you're in immediate danger. They can tell you where you can get help.

You can also contact  First Response team on 0117 903 6444.

If you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community

If you're in a same-sex relationship, you can also contact Gallop, the national LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline.

Call: 0800 999 5428 or email help@galop.org.uk

If you're a victim of 'honour-based' violence or forced marriage

'Honour-based' violence is domestic abuse usually committed by men towards women. Women are punished for bringing 'shame' on the family by not following rules that have been set, usually by the men of the family.

Honour-based violence may be committed because a woman:

  • has a boyfriend or a same-sex partner
  • has rejected a forced marriage
  • is pregnant outside of marriage
  • has a relationship with someone from another faith
  • asks for a divorce
  • dresses in a way her partner or husband considers inappropriate

There are organisations that can help you if you're experiencing honour-based violence:

Support for victims of sexual abuse and violence

The Bridge (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) offers: 

  • free and confidential crisis support after sexual violence
  • emergency contraception
  • PEPSE (anti HIV infection medication)
  • referrals to other healthcare services
  • forensic medical examinations, with or without police

Helpline: 0117 342 6999

Email: ubh-tr.thebridgecanhelp@nhs.net

The Bridge is open 8am to 6pm, with telephone support outside of these hours.

SARSAS (Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support) is a support service for people who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their life.

They also run an online support group for trans, non-binary, intersex or gender-variant people who have experienced sexual violence, every 2 weeks.

Helplines: 0808 801 0456 or 0808 801 0464

Monday: 11am to 2pm
Tuesday: 12pm to 2pm, and 6pm to 8pm
Wednesday: 12pm to 2pm, and 6pm to 8pm
Thursday: 12pm to 2pm, and 6pm to 8pm
Friday: 11am to 2pm

These lines are open to all.

Emotional telephone support

If you want someone to listen and give you emotional support, call the Samaritans on 116 123 free from any phone.

Council tenants

If you're a council tenant we can:

  • repair damage caused by domestic violence
  • give advice and help with the security of your home, such as changing the locks
  • give housing, benefits and money advice
  • give details of support organisations and help you contact them

Contact the Estate Management Service:

Housing benefit
If you move to temporary housing because of domestic violence, you might be able to claim housing benefit for both properties. You can apply for housing benefit online

Related links

Elsewhere on the web

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